It followed reports of people dressed as clowns in Ashton Park and Haslam Park over the weekend.

Across the UK police forces have been issuing warnings as the American craze reaches our shores.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “We will not tolerate any kind of anti-social or criminal behaviour directed at any members of our communities. We are clear that this type of conduct will not be treated as a joke or prank; doing this to a stranger may cause alarm or distress.

“We would urge people to seriously consider what impact this kind of behaviour might have as well as whether what they are doing could lead to their arrest and a potential criminal record.”